[Leaplist] The sad state of not knowing the options (with indemnification issues) -- WAS: sad state of Linux default desktop installs

[Ray Brunkow]

Bryan J Smith wrote:
> I won't even bottom-post in response.  I'll just list the details.
>
> 1)  Fedora has Firefox 3.5.3, not a variant.  Red Hat has not taken
> issue with the license like Debian.
>   
=========
Fedora 11   Failed due to FireFox (again not using the standard FF, thus 
out of date and no add-ons working) and no codecs for DVD or MP3 
playback.  YES I UNDERSTAND why, but my wife would not, nor would 99% of 
the world of computer USERS out there.  Note USERS, not power users or 
someone with the skills to find the repositories, add them to yum, and 
get things working properly.  
=========
even after fully patching and updating Fedora 11, it was running FF 
3.0.x not 3.5.x

Again I understand the the reason why RH and many others choose NOT to 
include as a part of their default installation the codecs mentioned.  
Yes they can be installed, yes they can be paid for, I was just looking 
for an out of the box experience like a limited knowledge user would do.
> 2)  Fedora provides the CodecBuddy to legally purchase the necessary
> codec licenses from Fluendo for GStreamer, which should be the default
> plug-in for Firefox.  I'm surprised you weren't prompted to buy them.
>
> 3)  Omega ( http://omega.dgplug.org/ ) is a Fedora Remix
> ( http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Remix ).  It includes MP3 and DVD
> playback out-of-the-box, with other software, all open source, but not
> included for IP issues.
>   
-snip-

Ill check that one out tonight.
>
> 7)  If you focus on "beat Microsoft," then you have to focus on, "break
> Microsoft's distribution lock."  Doesn't matter if Vista isn't selling
> because Dell, HP and others aren't going to stop selling XP for Linux,
> because it means subsidizing the Tier-1 OEMs more than Microsoft.
> That's not going to happen.  In fact, I've noted Shuttleworth's most
> recent comments (largely frustrations) with the traditional distribution
> channels matching much of what Michael Tiemann was demonized earlier
> this decade for pointing out.
>
> I.e., it ain't going to happen, regardless of what Linux does or
> includes.
>   

That is a sad thing, but meh.  Not really sure beat MS is what I was 
getting at other then time and ease of installation and getting to a 
basic usable desktop.  Time and effort are what I was testing more then 
anything.
> And "with all that said" ...  ;)
>
> I've see pre-installed Linux where people have no issues whatsoever.
> The sole issue I've ever seen has been Win32-only compatibility and the
> expectation of MS Office included, which doesn't even come with any PC
> for free -- much less a $200-300 netbook.
>   
True, for the Linux distros I used OOo not MS Office 2k7.  Went with 
what the average user would face when they set up their Windows box.  
Typically they will think MS Windows (what ever flavor, XP, Vista, 7) 
and MS Office.  So for the MS test I used MS Office 2007.  For all 
others the default was to have OOo installed during the install of the 
OS.  this to me is a major plus for the end user.
> -- Bryan
>
> P.S.  Regarding indemnification, German, US and many other copyright,
> patent, trademark and other IP is not only an issue for Linux, but Apple
> and Microsoft as well.  Microsoft gets sued weekly for such enough.
> This is a serious legal issue.
>
> Just last year developers were arrested at a German conference for
> redistribution of unlicensed MP3 codecs, under their laws.  This is the
> real world.  It's not just about an agenda.  ;)

Yes, again I fully understand why it is not included.

-- 
Raymond L. Brunkow
5th Degree Black Belt
Certified Instructor
Choong Sil Kwan TaekwonDo Federation


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